Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), VCD exciton coupling, and X-ray determination of the absolute configuration of an α,β-unsaturated germacranolide

The absolute configuration of was deduced by vibrational circular dichroism together with the evaluation of the Flack and Hooft X-ray parameters. Vibrational circular dichroism exciton coupling, using the carbonyl group signals, confirmed the absolute configuration of . In addition, sodium borohydride reduction of the 11,13-double bond of 6-epi-desacetyllaurenobiolide () yields an almost equimolecular mixture of C11 epimers, while reduction of the same double bond of 6-epi-laurenobiolide () provided almost exclusively the (11S) diastereoisomer .